Rolled sheet dispenser

ABSTRACT

A dispenser comprises a back plate for attachment to a surface and a first bar and a second bar extending from the back plate. The second bar has a first component and a second component forming an L-shape. The first component is movably attached to the back plate and the second component extends from the first component and is constructed and arranged to removably accept a roll of paper thereabout.

BACKGROUND

Rolled sheet material such as toilet paper and paper towels are often dispensed using a spring within two tubes or the like. Such a construction makes removing or installing a roll on the tube difficult, particularly for those with a disability such as arthritis or neuritis.

Loose parts can be dropped or lost resulting in needless lost time or in improper functioning. For these reasons, it would be desirable to provide an improved dispenser which makes the removal and installation of a roll simpler and easier by limiting the loose or moveable parts.

Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.

A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72.

SUMMARY

In at least one embodiment of the invention, a paper dispenser may comprise a back plate for attachment to a surface, a first bar, and a second bar. In at least one embodiment of the invention the second bar may extend from the back plate and have a first component and a second component forming an L-shape. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first component may be rotatably attached to the back plate or a mounting bar. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the second component may extend from the first component and be constructed and arranged to removably accept a roll of paper thereabout.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the dispenser has an engaged position and an unengaged position. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the second bar engages the first bar in the engaged position. In at least one embodiment of the invention, in the unengaged position the second bar does not engage the first bar.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the second bar is rotatably attached as to provide one degree of rotational freedom.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the second bar is rotatably attached as to provide two degrees of rotational freedom.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the second bar is rotatably attached as to provide three degrees of rotational freedom.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the second bar rotates about the first axis.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the second bar rotates about an axis which is parallel to the back plate.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first bar and the first component may extend substantially perpendicular from the bar plate.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the engaged position includes mechanical or magnetic engagement of the second component to the first bar.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the back plate may pivotally engage the first component.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the back plate may include a mounting bar which pivotally engages the first component.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first component of the second bar is constructed and arranged to pivot from an engaged position to an unengaged position. In at least one embodiment of the invention, in the engaged position the second component of the second bar engaging the first bar and in the unengaged position the first component rotated 60 to 90 degrees from the engaged position.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first component of the second bar may be connected to the back plate or mounting bar to form a ratcheted pivot rotatable about a range of degrees such that the first component and/or the second bar are stable about multiple positions along a range of degrees.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the back plate may rotatably engage the first component having a longitudinal axis and the first component may be substantially rotatable about the longitudinal axis.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first component of the second bar is rotatable from an engaged position to an unengaged position such that when in the engaged position the second component of the second bar engages the first bar and when in the unengaged position the second bar does not engage or contact the first bar. The unengaged position may provide up to 120 degrees rotation from the engaged position.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the unengaged position is stable. A stable position in this disclosure refers to a position in which the position is maintained under the force of gravity. It also refers to positions in which if a force is applied and movement from the stable position occurs the movement will not necessarily result in continued movement to the engaged position, in fact in some instances, the original stable position will be regained.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first bar and the first component are substantially parallel to the back plate. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first bar and the first component are substantially within the same plane as the back plate.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the back plate may be constructed and arranged to have a cut-out portion that may be positioned about a depression in the surface to which the back plate is attached.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first bar includes a slot or notch in which the second component may be disposed.

In at least one embodiment of the invention, the first component may be constructed and arranged to rotate such that the first component is stable through substantially all degrees to rotation.

In at least one embodiment the mounting bar may have a positioning slot wherein a protrusion on the second bar is constructed and arranged to slide. In at least one embodiment, rotation of the second bar is limited by the ends of the slot.

In at least one embodiment, the dispenser is sized to receive a roll of toilet paper or paper towels.

In at least one embodiment, the second component has at least one positioning bump.

In at least one embodiment, the second bar is not stable in the unengaged position. In at least one embodiment, the user must prevent the second bar from moving from an unengaged position to an engaged postion.

In at least one embodiment, the dispenser does not include a back plate. In at least one embodiment, the first bar and the mount bar are directly mounted to a surface. In at least one embodiment, the first and second bars are directly mounted to a surface.

In at least one embodiment, a rotatable portion exists on the first component itself. In at least one embodiment, at least a portion of the second bar may be constructed and arranged to pivot from an engaged position to an unengaged position These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a embodiments of the invention.

DESCRIPTION of DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a dispenser.

FIG. 2 is a perspective side view of an embodied connection between the back plate and the first component.

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of the first bar and the second bar isolated from the back plate.

FIG. 4 is a perspective side view of an embodied dispenser.

FIG. 5 is a side view of an embodied dispenser partially recessed within a surface recess.

FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of an embodied dispenser.

FIG. 7 is a perspective front view of an embodied dispenser.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a dispenser in an unengaged position.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a dispenser in an engaged position.

FIG. 10 is a front or top view of a dispenser having a second component that is not of one piece construction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated.

For the purposes of this disclosure, like reference numerals in the figures shall refer to like features unless otherwise indicated. The rolled sheets in this application may be toilet paper, paper towels, garbage bags, etc.

Referring to FIG. 1, a dispenser 10 having a roll 15 is shown. The dispenser may have a back plate 20 which is affixed to a surface. The surface may be a wall, the underside of a cabinet or counter, etc. The back plate 20 has a first bar 30 and a second bar 40 extending from it. The second bar 40 may be L-shaped and comprise a first component 40 a and a second component 40 b. Second bar 40 may be made of one-piece construction such that first component 40 a and second component 40 b are constructed of the same piece of material. In at least one embodiment, first component 40 a and second component 40 b are constructed of different materials or pieces. The second bar 40 may be movably attached to the back plate 20. In some embodiments the back plate may include a mounting bar 20 a to which the second bar 40 is engaged.

The second bar 40 may be designed such that when in an engaged position the second component is engaged to first bar 30. In at least one embodiment, first bar 30 may have a notch 50 into which the second component 40 b may rest. In at least one embodiment, first bar 30 does not have a notch. In at least one embodiment the first bar and the second component 40 b are magnetically engaged.

In an unengaged position the second component 40 b is not engaged to the first bar 30 as the second bar 40 moves about connection 55. The connection 55 may be such that the second bar 40 may move or pivot such that it is pivotally attached to back plate 20. Second bar 40 may be moved such that a roll 15 may be removed from or disposed about the second component 40 b. As shown in FIG. 2 one embodied connection 55 pivotally connects second bar 40 and back plate 20 such that second bar 40 rotates about the axis of pin 60.

FIG. 3 illustrates the first bar and the second bar isolated from the back plate. In this illustrated embodiment the second component 40 b is engaged to the first bar 30 within the notched portion 50. It should be noted that the first bar 30 and the second bar 40 as shown may be attached directly to a surface or also attached to a back plate attached to a surface. The surface or back plate may be perpendicular to a floor or it may be parallel to a floor, for example, attached beneath a cabinet, mounted on a counter or table, etc.

In addition a set of co-ordinate axes are illustrated. First component 40 a in the engaged position lies along the z-axis 42 and perpendicular to the xy-plane having an x-axis 44 and a y-axis 46. In at least one embodiment, second bar 40 pivots about the x-axis 44. In at least one embodiment, second bar 40 pivots/rotates about the z-axis. In at least one embodiment, second bar 40 has two degrees of rotational freedom and pivots about both the x-axis and the z-axis.

FIG. 4 is an embodiment of the invention in the unengaged position. Second bar 40 pivots about the x-axis 44 and is pivotally raised above first bar 30. In this position the roll 15 may be removed and/or another roll may be placed on second component 40 b.

In FIG. 5 second bar 40 is substantially parallel to back plate 20; in some instances it is in the substantially same plane. A portion of the roll 15 disposed about second bar 40 fits within a depression 65. In some embodiments, a first bar is not necessary. In some embodiments the back plate 20 includes a portion that fits within the depression 65. The roll 15 may be replaced by raising the second bar such that the roll can be removed without contacting the surface to which the back plate 20 is connected.

In FIG. 6 the back plate 20 is constructed and arranged to attach to the underneath side of a cabinet or other surface. In some instances the first bar 30 and second bar 40 may be constructed and arranged to extend perpendicularly to the floor. It should be noted that the dispensers in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 may be constructed and arranged such that in the unengaged position the second bar has a locked position or a position wherein the second bar 40 remains without continued effort by the user. Additional actions by the user are necessary for moving the second bar 40 into a different position. The second component may also have one or more raised positioning bumps 67 which may assist in keeping the roll in a more specific location on the second component 40 b. The positioning bumps may be on both sides of the roll and may also be in the form of an annular ring In FIG. 7 the embodied dispenser has a second bar 40 which rotates within the back plate 20. As shown in FIG. 7 the second bar rotates within a bar plate extension 20 a. It should be noted that the second bar could also rotate about the bar plate extension 20 a. The bar plate may also have a positioning slot 70 wherein a protrusion 75 on the second bar may slide. In the engaged position the second component 40 b is in contact with first bar 30. The rotation of second bar 40 is limited. During rotation of the second bar 40 the protrusion 75 slides within slot 70 until it reaches the slot end 70′ thereby stopping the rotation of the second bar 40. In the embodiment shown, when the protrusion reaches slot end 70′ the second bar 40 is in a stable position and will remain there if no additional forces is exerted upon it. In this stable position the second component 40 b may extend substantially upward. In this position the roll may be changed with one hand as the used roll can be removed and the new roll installed without the second component moving out of the stable position; thus a second hand is not necessary to maintain the position of the second bar 40.

It should be noted that slot 70 may not be a single straight slot as shown. Instead, the slot may have additional cut-out portions into which the protrusion 75 may enter and thus be in a stable position.

In FIG. 8 the second bar 40 is rotated within mounting bar 20 a such that it is in the stable unengaged position. In FIG. 9 the second bar 40 is in the engaged position and engaged to the first bar 30. Back plate 20 in FIGS. 8-9 can also be attached to a surface that is substantially parallel to the floor such that the second component when unengaged is substantially parallel to the floor.

In FIG. 10 the first component 40 a and the second component 40 b are not of one piece construction. The figure represents at least two different views; as a front view it illustrates a dispenser 10 for attachment to the underside of a cabinet, apparatus, or the like, as a top view it illustrates a dispenser 10 for attachment to a wall or such. As shown in FIG. 10, a mounting bar as shown in FIGS. 1-2, 4, and 7-9 is not necessary in at least one embodiment. In this embodiment, the first component 40 a extends from the back plate 20 and the second component 40 b is pivotally engaged to the first component 40 a. The pivot 80 could be in the form of a screw or other mechanism for pivotally attaching the second component 40 b to the first component 40 a. The pivot can be constructed and arranged to allow the second component to be in a stable condition from the engaged position through a rotation of 30, and/or a rotation of 45 degrees, and/or a rotation of 60 degrees, and/or a rotation of 90 degrees, and/or a rotation of 120 degrees, and/or a rotation of 180 degrees, and/or a rotation of 360 degrees.

The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. The various elements shown in the individual figures and described above may be combined or modified for combination as desired. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”. Those familiar with the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein which equivalents are also intended to be encompassed by the claims.

Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below.

The description above describes several embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. 

1. A dispenser comprising: a back plate for attachment to a surface, a first bar and a mounting bar extending from the back plate, a second bar having a first component which defines a first axis and a second component, the first component and second component forming an L-shape, the second bar rotatably attached to the mounting bar and constructed and arranged to rotate between an engaged position and an unengaged position, the second component extending from the first component and constructed and arranged to removably accept a roll thereabout, in the engaged position the second component of the second bar engages the first bar, in the unengaged position the second bar does not engage the first bar.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the second bar is rotatably attached as to provide one degree of rotational freedom.
 3. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the second bar is rotatably attached as to provide two degrees of rotational freedom.
 4. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the second bar is rotatably attached as to provide three degrees of rotational freedom.
 5. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein, the second bar rotates about the first axis.
 6. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the second bar rotates about an axis which is parallel to the back plate.
 7. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first component of the second bar and the mounting bar form a ratcheted pivot rotatable about a range of degrees, the ratcheted pivot constructed and arranged such that the second bar is stable about multiple positions along the range of degrees.
 8. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the engaged position includes mechanical or magnetic engagement of the second component to the first bar.
 9. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the unengaged position is stable.
 10. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the mounting bar may also have a positioning slot wherein a protrusion on the second bar is constructed and arranged to slide, rotation of the second bar being limited by the ends of the slot.
 11. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the back plate is constructed and arranged to have a cut-out portion that can be positioned about a depression in the surface to which the back plate is attached.
 12. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first bar includes a slot or notch in which the second component can be disposed.
 13. The dispenser of claim 1 sized to receive a roll of toilet paper.
 14. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first bar and the first component of the second bar extend substantially perpendicular from the bar plate when in the engaged position.
 15. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the second component has at least one positioning bump.
 16. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the first bar and the first component are substantially parallel to the back plate.
 17. The dispenser of claim 1 wherein the second bar is not stable in the unengaged position.
 18. A dispenser comprising: a back plate for attachment to a surface, a first bar and a second bar extending from the back plate, the second bar rotatably attached to the back plate and capable of rotating into a plurality of stable positions, the second bar having a portion constructed and arranged to removably accept a roll thereabout, the dispenser having an engaged position and an unengaged position, in the engaged position the second bar engages the first bar, in the unengaged position the second bar does not engage the first bar.
 19. The dispenser of claim 18 wherein the second bar has a first component and a second component, the first bar and second bar being mechanically or magnetically engageable.
 20. A dispenser comprising: a first bar and a second bar constructed and arranged to attach to a surface, the second bar having a first component and a second component forming an L-shape, the second component extending from the first component and constructed and arranged to removably accept a roll thereabout, the dispenser having an engaged position and an unengaged position, in the engaged position the second component of the second bar engages the first bar, in the unengaged position the second bar does not engage the first bar, at least a portion of the second bar constructed and arranged to pivot from an engaged position to an unengaged position. 